“The survey shows that Asian Americans are paying close attention to political discourse, and will not vote for a candidate expressing exclusionary rhetoric that only serves to separate communities. Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim language will not win over Asian American voters,” said Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Meanwhile, according to the Pew Research Center, the Asian American electorate as a whole has grown by 16 percent over the last four years, compared to a 5 percent growth in the general electorate and a 2 percent growth in eligible white voters over the same period.

“Candidates on both sides of the aisle need to pay attention to our community,” Moua said, “but our survey continues to show that the majority of Asian American voters have not been contacted by political parties in the past year.”

APIAVote noted in an earlier report that in the previous presidential election cycle, 80 percent of Asian American registered voters in the South had not been contacted about the 2012 election.

“Voter outreach and education by nonpartisan organizations remains critical and 2016 is poised to be the largest mobilization effort we have seen for the AAPI community,” said Christine Chen, executive director of APIAVote. “The survey shows key problem spots where Asian American registered voters feel that the political system is not responsive to their needs. Greater investments are needed from the campaigns and parties.”

Some highlights from the “Inclusion, Not Exclusion” report:

Donald Trump has the highest net unfavorable view among Asian American voters. (19% favorable-61% unfavorable, compared to 41% favorable-56% unfavorable among the general population)

I would like to depart from the tradition of showering you with personal advice. Instead, at the risk of offending some of you, I want to talk about the deepening concerns that I and many others have about the future of North Carolina, our beloved state.

Repeatedly in recent years, and especially in recent months, forces of political extremism have asserted themselves here, representing a sharp break from our past. After decades of struggle to become a just and fair people, we are sliding backwards. We are not only damaging our reputation but putting our fellow citizens at risk.

Enough is enough. For those of us who have stayed on the sidelines, it is time to stand up and be counted. It is time to raise our voices against this darkness. Indeed, it is time for fellow citizens of all stripes – white and black; young and old; native and newcomer; men, women and people of chosen gender — everyone — to join forces and preserve the best of who we are as a people.

The special session Wednesday that passed legislation banning localities from protecting LGBTQ communities came at a cost of $42,000. Not satisfied that they’ve overturned the Charlotte ordinance — which would’ve allowed transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity — now State Sen. Tom Apodaca (R-Henderson) wants the city of Charlotte to foot the bill as well.

Blue Ridge Now reports:

State Sen. Tom Apodaca (R-Henderson) has asked his staff to look and see how the General Assembly can charge Charlotte to cover the costs of Wednesday’s special session, including the possibility of withholding the city’s sales tax revenues.

Lawmakers met Wednesday and passed a law invalidating a measure the Charlotte City Council passed last month to allow transgender people to use restrooms corresponding with their gender identity.

“Charlotte brought this all upon themselves,” knowing exactly what they were getting into, Apodaca said.

The Institute for Southern Studies, Southeast Asian Coalition (SEAC), Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the N.C. Justice Center jointly released a report today, noting the Asian American population in North Carolina as the fastest-growing racial group in the state.

Diversity: Over 20 ethnicities, countries of origin and languages are represented in the state’s Asian-American community.

Relatively high citizenship rates: Although nearly 60 percent of Asian-American residents were born abroad, the citizenship rate is about 70 percent. Rates vary by ethnicity and country of origin.

Low voter registration rates: About 100,000 Asian Americans are registered to vote, reflecting only 58 percent of eligible Asian-American voters. By comparison, 70 percent of all eligible voters in the state are registered.